Composition of matter.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. BROWN, OF NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE M. PORT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

COMPOSITION OF MATTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 715,751, dated December 16, 1902.

Application filed June 26, 1901. Serial No. 66.066. (No specimens.)

of Matter, of which the following is a specifi-' cation.

My invention relates to a liquid composition which is designed principally as a preservative and coating for leather, although it may with advantage be applied to textile and other fabrics, wood, metal, earthenware, &c. When applied to leather by merely painting it on and allowing it to dry by the suns rays or otherwise, it penetrates the leather and be,- cornes so combined therewith as to greatly increase the moisture-resisting as well as the wearing qualities of said leather without impairing its flexibility. I have found this preparation to be exceedingly useful as a saver for the soles of shoes, and when, furthermore, it is compounded in substantially the manner and proportions hereinafter specified as appropriate for the purpose one application or coating of the liquid, or more than one application if an extra good result is desired, to the upper leather of boots and shoes or to hides or skins designed to be made up into boot or shoe uppers or other goods, the said application being allowed to dry in the sun or in any ordinary manner, will result in a leather having the glossy appearance of so-called patent-leather, but possessed of much greater flexibility, freedom from cracking, scarring, or tarnishing, and durability.

To prepare the composition as a coating to give a patent-leather effect, the method and materials of preparation which are the best now known to me are as follows: Take parts, by weight, of the following substances in the proportions specified: boiled linseed-oil, four parts; Trinidad asphaltum,four parts; spirits ofturpentine,nineparts. Heatthe asphaltum in a kettle until melted to a thin liquid, which melting will take place at a temperature in the neighborhood of 400 centigrade. In a separate kettle heat the linseed-oil to a tem perature near its flash-point, and then add the oil slowly to the asphaltum, stirring meanwhile. During the mixing of the liquids in this manner a slight frothing takes place, which seems to indicate chemical action or union between the two substances. All naked lights nearby should be extinguished during the mixing of the substances because of their highly-combustible nature under these conditions. The flash-point of the ordinary commercial linseed-oils is in the vicinity of 325 centigrade; but inasmuch as different specimens will vary in their flash-points it is preferable to rely on the ordinary test for flashpoint in each particular instance-that is, the giving off of vapors by the oil to determine the amount of heat which shallbe imparted to the oil rather than to proceed by thermometric readings, since otherwise the oil may be heated to an undesirably combustible condition, in which condition also it has a tendency to chemically disintegrate or oxidize. The resulting compound of linseed-oil and asphalt-um is allowed to cool until a thin film begins to form on its surface, at which time a portion of the turpentine is stirred in. Further cooling is then allowed, after which the rest of the turpentine is added. The result may be termed liquid No. 1. While liquid No.

1 is still warm it is measured out into a large ing proportions, viz: asphaltum, two parts;

linseed-oil,five parts; gum-anime,three parts; turpentine, seven and one-half parts. The amount of turpentine is subject to variation, according to the degree of fluidity'or penet-rativeness desired.

My improved composition prepared as stated above when applied to upper-leather as a coating and dried imparts thereto a black finish, possessing a brilliancy of gloss, flexibility, durability, non-cracking, non-scarring, and moisture proof qualities which have never before to my knowledge been attained or combined in any preparation.

When used as a sole-saver, the above-described preparation should be thinned down with turpentine, since the high gloss is not then requisite and a higher degree of penetrative power is desirable. I therefore mix four (4) parts, by volume, of the above prepa ration with one (1) part of turpentine, in order to obtain a liquid suitable for impregnating the soles of boots and shoes or leather articles generally and one which will dry quickly.

I do not limit myself to the method of preparation which involves the making up of liquid No l and liquid No. 2 separately and then mixing them, but may mix in the constituents of liquids N0. 2 separately with the ingredients of No. 1.

I am aware that all of the ingredients herein mentioned, alone or with others, have been known as or under the general name of varnish and for various alleged purposes; but this preparation is distinctively designed, first, as a leather preservative, especially of leather exposed to water or moisture, like shoes or leather belting running in water or steam, which distinguishes it from all leather preparations designed merely from appearances; secondly, as a flexible leather preservative, which distinguishes it from all varnishes for rigid surfaces; thirdly, as a preservative enamel impervious to water, which distinguishes it from all varnishes designed merely for inside work; fourthly, as a leather preservative and enamel which will not crack, blister, or peel under changes of temperature, which distinguishes it from ordinary patent-leather.

I claim The herein-described composition of matter containing ingredients in substantially the following proportions, viz., asphaltum, two parts; linseed-oil, five parts; gum -anime, three parts; and turpentine.

In testimony whereof I have alfixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN W. BROWVN.

Witnesses:

A. D. HARRISON, C. F. BROWN. 

